JP2015528615A - Radio frequency identification tag - Google Patents

Abstract

A tag (100), a removable radio frequency chip (130), an antenna (140) disposed in electrical communication with the chip (130), and a non-conductive disposed on a surface of the tag (100) A sensor system (1000) comprising a tag (100) comprising an adhesive coating (115). The chip (130) includes a memory element that provides electrical storage of binary encoded data, and an output terminal. The antenna (140) is in electrical communication with the output terminal. The non-conductive coating covers the radio frequency chip and defines the outer edge (125). An outer edge (125) is located over and exposes a portion of the antenna (140).

Description

  The present invention relates to a system and method for determining information about a product. The invention particularly relates to remote querying of product information and subsequent use of the information obtained.

  Consumer goods with a useful life defined by the consumption of goods are well known. The useful life can be viewed as one or more events associated with the consumption of at least a portion of the usable quantity of goods. There may be information related to the product usage environment and / or the amount of product used and still available, but may also be generally inaccessible to consumers of typical products. is there. What is needed is a system and method for extracting product related information in such a way as to make this information accessible and usable by consumers.

  In one aspect, the sensor system includes a tag. The tag includes at least one radio frequency chip, a first antenna disposed in electrical communication with the radio frequency chip, and a non-conductive coating disposed on a surface of the tag. The radio frequency chip includes a memory element that provides electrical storage of binary coded words including at least one bit, and an output terminal. The antenna is in electrical communication with the output terminal. The non-conductive coating covers the radio frequency chip and defines the outer edge. The outer edge is located over part of the antenna and is exposed.

  In one aspect, a method for determining product information includes providing a tag and an interrogator adapted to detect radiation associated with the tag information, querying the tag status, and tag status. Interpreting and providing an output associated with the interpreted tag status. The tag includes a digital memory that stores data associated with the product.

Additional features and benefits of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon review of the drawings.
1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

Definition of terms:
The following text provides a general description of many different embodiments of the present invention. This description is to be construed as merely illustrative, and not exhaustive, as it is impractical, if not impossible, to describe every possible embodiment. Any mechanism, property, component, composition, ingredient, product, process, or methodology described in any document may be deleted, and any other mechanism, property, component described herein It will be understood that it can be combined with a composition, ingredient, product, process or methodology, or can be replaced in whole or in part. Numerous alternative embodiments can be implemented using either the latest technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, but such embodiments are still claimed. It will be included in the range.

  It is also to be understood that certain terms are defined in this patent using the sentence “when used in this specification the term“ ___ ”means“ ... ”” or similar sentences. Unless defined otherwise, the meaning of the term, whether express or implied, is not intended to be limited beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such terms are The scope should not be construed as being limited based on the statements made in any paragraph (other than the language of the claims). Neither term is intended to be essential to the invention, unless stated as essential to the invention. As long as any term in the claims at the end of this patent is mentioned in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, it is simply understood so as not to confuse the reader. This is done for the sake of simplicity only and is not intended to limit the terminology of the claims to its single meaning, either by implication or otherwise. Finally, unless the elements of a claim are defined by elaborating the “meaning” and function of the word without any structural details, the scope of the elements of the claim is It is not intended to be construed based on the application of Article 112, sixth paragraph of the Act.

  The “chip” previously described herein may be replaced by a chipless RFID element known in the art. An LC resonant RF tag or multi-resonator element may be used in place of the chip of the above embodiment.

  In one aspect, the sensor system includes a tag. The tag may include one or more layers of conductive ink printed on the substrate. Exemplary substrates include polyester, paper, highly permeable dielectric materials, and FR-4 materials. The multilayer structure may further include a partial layer of non-conductive material that separates at least a portion of the conductive layer. Exemplary conductive layers include copper and silver inks. The tag includes a radio frequency chip and a first antenna disposed as a circuit on a card, coin, or inlay. The chip can be an active or passive chip. Exemplary chip / first antenna combinations include model numbers: RI-I03-112A-03 (13.56 MHz), and RI-INL-R9QM (134.2 kHz), or model TRF7970A, Available from Texas Instruments, Dallas, TX. The antenna may be in the physical form of a coil or a dipole. The chip / first antenna combination is described in Kovio, San Jose, CA. Can be integrated into the unit tag available from

  The tag further includes an outer non-conductive coating. Exemplary non-conductive coating materials include polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The non-conductive coating is placed on the tag surface so that a portion of the tag is uncoated and exposed to the tag's environment. The uncoated area is defined by the outer edge of the non-conductive coating. The exposed portion of the tag may include part of the antenna to all of the antenna.

  In one embodiment, the chip and antenna circuitry includes a gap so that the circuit does not close. In this embodiment, the voids are not protected by the non-conductive coating, but remain exposed to the environment. The tag circuit may be closed by exposing the tag to a conductive environment so that the conductive material provides the necessary conductivity across the air gap. The conductive environment includes a conductive gel, powder, and liquid, and the void is bridged by the conductive substrate. Urine, blood, and saline are each conductive. The gel or powder containing the electrolyte also constitutes the conductive material.

  The tag can be read using a radio frequency protocol, such as a near field communication (NFC) protocol. Querying or reading a tag provides power to the tag circuit. The tag memory is then read by the interrogator.

  The sensor system may further include an interrogator. The interrogator detects the electromagnetic radiation and embeds the detected radiation by demodulating the detected radiation, and a second antenna adapted to generate electromagnetic radiation including the resonant frequency of the first antenna. A receiver for extracting the collected data. The Bluetooth ™ RFID reader, model number 223012 (available from GAO RFID from Toronto Canada) represents one form of interrogator. The model 223012 interrogator has the ability to query the radio frequency tag and determine the status of the tag's memory to extract information related to the output of the sensor related to the tag's environment. 223012 further provides a Bluetooth ™ communication protocol for sending information extracted from the tag to a secondary device or secondary interrogator, such as a computer or smartphone capable of using Bluetooth ™, for example. Including secondary network communication links. The secondary interrogator can further analyze information regarding the status of the tag environment and provide an output regarding the particular tag and / or tag environment status. It may further include a display element, such as an LCD or LED screen, for displaying the output associated with the analyzed tag information. The interrogator may further include one or more sensors for confirming information associated with the interrogator environment. Sensors can include temperature, humidity, and acceleration sensors. The interrogator may further include one or more cameras that allow capture of images associated with the product, tag, or environment. The interrogator may include a global positioning capability to allow the interrogator to confirm and share information regarding the interrogator's geographic location.

  In one aspect, the smartphone can function only as an interrogator. In this aspect, the smartphone may query the tag and check information from the tag's memory. The interrogator may analyze the information or otherwise interpret it and generate output. The output may be provided to the system user via audio output, visual output, haptic output, or a combination thereof. The interrogator may use an input from a smartphone sensor or system in addition to the tag information at the time of output generation. Representative smartphones suitably configured to function as system interrogators include Acer ™ E320 Liquid Express, Blackberry ™ Bold ™ 970; Casio IT-800, available from Research In Motion. Google, Inc .; Mountain View Ca. Google Nexus 7 (TM) available from HTC Desire C (TM) available from LG Optimus Elite HTC; Motorola Droid (TM) Razr (TM) available from Motorola; Nokia 700; Trademark); Samsung Galaxy S Advance ™.

  In one aspect, the sensor system may include a product. The term “product” is used in the broadest sense and refers to any product, product family, service, communication, entertainment, environment, organization, system, tool, and the like. For example, examples of product groups are personal and household products used in individuals, families or homes. Examples of representative and non-limiting list of product categories for personal and household products include antiperspirants, baby care, eau de cologne, commercial products (wholesale, consumer consumer goods, similar to industrial and commercial markets) Products), cosmetics, deodorant, dish care, feminine protection goods, hair care, hair color, health care, household cleaning products, laundry, oral care, paper products, personal cleaning products, disposable absorbent products, pet health And nutritional products, prescription drugs, prestige perfumes, skin care, food, snacks and beverages, special fabric care, shaving and other hair growth management products, small electrical equipment, equipment and batteries, haircutting services, cosmetology, spa therapy Entertainment such as medical, dental, visual services, cinemas, stadiums, plus film or movie shows, theater, and sporting events Easy service. Various product forms may fall into each of these product categories.

  Representative product forms and trademarks are shown on the Procter & Gamble website (www.pg.com) and linked sites. Consumer products that are part of product categories other than those listed above are also contemplated by the present invention, as well as other product forms and brands other than those disclosed on the website identified above. It will be understood that it is encompassed by the present invention.

  Representative products within the laundry product category include detergents (including powders, liquids, tablets, and other forms), bleaches, conditioners, softeners, antistatic products, and refreshers (liquid refreshers and dryer sheets) Are included). Representative products within the oral care product category include dentifrices, floss, toothbrushes (including manual and motorized forms), mouthwashes, gum care products, dental whitening products, and other dental care products. . Exemplary feminine protection products include pads, tampons, interlabial products, and panty liners. Typical baby care products include diapers, wipes, bibs, diaper changes and bed mats, and foaming hand soap for hand washing.

  Exemplary health care products include laxatives, fiber supplements, oral and topical analgesics, gastrointestinal products, respiratory and cough / cold products, heat delivery products, and water purification products. Typical paper products include toilet paper, paper towels, and tissue paper. Exemplary hair care products include shampoos, conditioners (including rinse-off and leave-in forms) and hair styling aids. Typical residential care products include sweeper products, floor cleaning products, wooden floor cleaners, antibacterial floor cleaners, fabric and air refreshers, and car wash products. Skin care products include body wash, facial cleanser, hand lotion, moisturizer, conditioner, astringent lotion, surface exfoliating product, micro skin polishing and peeling product, skin rejuvenation product, anti-aging product, mask, UV protection product, And skin care puffs, wipes, disks, fabrics, sheets, tools and devices (with or without skin care compositions).

  Other product groups include, among other things, sports equipment, entertainment (books, movies, music, etc.), video, and home medical care, and first aid products.

  The tag may be attached to a package of products, such as a primary package of liquid products or granular products. The tag may be immersed in or floated on the packaged liquid or granular product. The tag may be incorporated into the product, such as in a disposable absorbent article (such as in a diaper) for the purpose of detecting liquid contact with the absorbent core of the diaper. The tag may be placed on the surface of the product itself.

  By adapting the antenna of the tag to the shape of the outer surface of the product, the communication between the interrogator and the tag can be omnidirectional and can be achieved at various angles between the interrogator and the tag. It is thought to produce a system.

  One of the problems associated with creating communication devices for various products is recognized when communication devices are utilized on electrical conductors. The principle of free space radio wave propagation is not valid in the vicinity of highly conductive objects. In addition, antenna performance is significantly degraded when the antenna is placed near metal. As such, simply placing an RFID tag on a battery or on an object having a conductor may not achieve the desired effect, eg, data transfer. In particular, this problem is not limited to rechargeable / disposable batteries. For example, a package containing a shaving gel, a can such as a shaving foam, or a metallized film may have the same problem due to the conductivity of the container. Generally, an RFID tag adjacent to a metal body reduces the signal connecting the reader and the tag to 1/10.

  One way to prevent the effects caused by the metal proximal to the antenna is to prevent the electromagnetic field from entering the metal. By placing the material so as to provide suitable electromagnetic properties 5 and dimensions between a suitable antenna and metal surface, the electromagnetic field can diverge around the metal / conductive body of the product. The properties of the divertor material depend on the exact metal used and the RFID frequency. The magnetic diverter effectively separates the tag from the can.

  In one aspect, a method for determining product information includes providing a product that includes the tag. The tag includes at least one sensor adapted to provide an output that approximates a change in the sensor's environment. The sensor has at least one output terminal. The tag also includes a radio frequency chip that includes a memory element, an input terminal, and an output terminal, and the first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminal of the chip.

  The method also includes providing an interrogator that is compatible with the detected radiation associated with the tag data. The interrogator may be a smartphone or other computing device that includes an RF or NFC protocol reader connected to the Bluetooth ™ function described above, or an RF, possibly NFC capable reader.

  The interrogator can be used to determine the current state of a tag that uses an RF communication protocol, such as the NFC protocol. The interrogator may interpret the data received from the tag using a software application written for this purpose.

  In one aspect, the method may be minimized to providing a product that includes a tag, providing software that is commercially available, or compatible with consumer owned devices. The consumer may choose to utilize application software that allows the device to function as an interrogator to be described.

  In one embodiment, the tag may be used to communicate the amount of product remaining in the package. In this embodiment, the tag may be configured to expose a portion of the tag until the exposed portion of the tag does not contact the product due to a reduction in the level of the product with respect to the tag. Exposure to conductive products shorts the tag, rendering it inoperable. Alternatively, the tag may be configured such that the outer edge of the non-conductive coating exposes the circuit gap. In this embodiment, the tag is readable as long as the gap is bridged by the presence of the conductive product and becomes unreadable when the product is absent.

  In one embodiment, the dipole antenna can be coated with a non-conductive polymer. The coating may include a series of voids that expose the antenna leading to the tag's environment. In this embodiment, the conductivity of the tag antenna changes as more or less voids are covered with the conductive fluid. The change in conductivity may be defined, and the purpose of the query may be to check the current state of the antenna conductivity (ie, the level for the tag / antenna) as an indicator of fluid contact.

  The absorbent article may include a tag so that the interrogator receives only output when the product / tag is stimulated by use and the exposed portion of the tag circuit comes into contact with a conductive fluid such as blood or urine. Good. Alternatively, it can be configured to provide output to the interrogator until the product tag product is used / stimulated and the tag is shorted by exposure.

  In one embodiment, the tag may include a combination of the above two configurations. In this embodiment, the first chip is readable only in the absence of the product, while the second chip is readable only in the presence of the product. This embodiment provides the benefit of always providing output to the interrogator regardless of the product quality status.

  Tags that include the dual reading configuration described above may be included in diapers or other absorbent products. In this example, the tag provides output to the interrogator in both stimulated and unstimulated states. The user receives information about the status of the product and avoids the question of whether the product status has changed or whether there is a problem with the tag.

  In one aspect, the interrogator may incorporate a secondary network communication module that grants the device the ability to send and receive data via a mobile phone or other network including a local area or WiFi network. In such an aspect, the interrogator may send data received from the tag and / or analysis of data from the tag. The interrogator software application analyzes the data from the tag to determine if the product associated with the tag needs to be replenished, or the product usage history formed through the tag's series of interrogators. In view of this, it may be estimated when such replenishment is required. In this aspect, the application may be used to purchase additional products over the network. The application may further be used to present related products for purchase to the user or other products not directly related to the product.

  In one embodiment, the system tag may be subdivided. One part may include at least a portion of the antenna and the chip, and the other may include the conductive polymer system and the remainder of either of the antennas. The two parts of the tag may be arranged such that the antenna and the non-conductive coating are exposed to the functional environment of the absorbent article and the chip portion is not exposed to the functional environment of the article. The tip portion is removable and can therefore also be reusable. The antenna and chip portion may be retained in the product while the sensor may be removable. In one embodiment, the removable sensing element may be coupled to a resident chip / antenna element. By way of example, a personal care device, such as a razor or an oral care device, may be configured with a resident antenna and chip with contacts, allowing insertion and removal of sensing elements. The sensing element may be removed for disposable, replacement or cleaning and reinsertion. In one embodiment, APLIX Inc. Conductive hook and loop fasteners available from (Charlotte, NC) may be used to form an intermediate between the functional environment of the article and the exterior of the article. The attachment mechanism between the article, the sensor, and the removable tag that provides electrical conductivity can be hook and loop, compression (eg, elastic band, garter), adhesive (eg, adhesive strip), magnetic, or these It can be a combination. In this embodiment, the antenna and non-conductive coating system may be made as an assembly that is in electrical contact with the conductive hook and loop pad, which in turn is disposed on the outer surface of the article. While the antenna and non-conductive coating may be placed inside the article. Matching pads may be introduced as part of the assembly of the chip assembly, and each of the two assemblies can be integrated using matching hook and loop pads for tag operational applications. This method allows more expensive chip assemblies to be reused and reduces the overall costs associated with using a system with many corresponding disposable items. Corresponding assemblies are conductive, available from, for example, MG Chemicals (Surrey, BC, Canada) to secure the electrical leads of the corresponding part of the tag to its corresponding hook and loop fastening pads. It can be formed using an adhesive.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1000 includes an absorbent article 300 and an interrogator 200. Absorbent article 300 includes tag 100. The tag 100 includes a removable chip 130, a non-conductive coating 115 that defines an outer periphery 125, and an antenna 140. The interrogator 200 includes a sensor 210, a power source 220, an antenna 230, an analysis element 240, a display element 250, and a network link 260. As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent article 300 includes a tag 100. The tag 100 includes a removable chip 130, a non-conductive coating 115 that defines an outer periphery 125, and an antenna 140. As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent article 300 includes a tag 100. Tag 100 includes a removable chip 130, a non-conductive lead 115, a conductive lead 150, and an antenna 140.

  The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.

  All references cited herein, including any cross-references or related patents or related applications, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. Citation of any document is not an admission that such document is prior art to all inventions disclosed or claimed in this application, and such document alone or in all other references. And no reference to, teaching, suggestion or disclosure of any such invention in any combination thereof. Further, in this document, the meaning assigned to a term in this document if the scope of any meaning or definition of the term contradicts any meaning or definition of a similar term in a document incorporated by reference. Or it shall conform to the definition.

  While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (15)

A sensor system including a tag, wherein the tag is
a. At least one removable radio frequency chip and output terminal;
b. A first antenna disposed in electrical communication with the output terminal of the radio frequency chip;
c. A non-conductive coating disposed on a surface of the tag, the non-conductive coating covering the radio frequency chip and defining an outer edge, the outer edge being one of the first antennas; A non-conductive coating located over a portion and exposing a portion of the first antenna.   A power source, a second antenna adapted to generate electromagnetic radiation including a resonance frequency of the first antenna, and detecting the electromagnetic radiation, demodulating the detected radiation and being embedded from the detected radiation The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising an interrogator including a receiver adapted to extract the collected data.   The interrogator further comprises an analysis element adapted to interpret the extracted embedded data and a display element adapted to display a result of the interpretation. Item 3. The sensor system according to Item 2.   The sensor system according to claim 2, wherein the interrogator further includes a sensor.   The sensor system according to claim 2, wherein the interrogator comprises a network communication link.   The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna includes an omnidirectional antenna.   The sensor system according to claim 1, further comprising a product, wherein the tag includes a portion of the product.   8. A sensor system according to claim 7, wherein the product comprises a disposable absorbent article.   The sensor system according to claim 7, wherein the product includes a portable power source.   The sensor system according to claim 7, further comprising an electric shield disposed between the antenna and the product.   The sensor system according to claim 10, wherein the shield includes a part of the tag. A method for determining product information, the method comprising:
a. Providing a product including a tag, the tag comprising a partially exposed antenna and a removable chip; and
b. Providing an interrogator adapted to detect radiation associated with an environmental condition of the tag;
c. Changing the environmental state of the tag associated with the environment of a portion of the exposed antenna;
d. Querying the status of the tag after the environment of a portion of the exposed antenna has changed;
e. Interpreting the state of the tag;
f. Providing an output associated with the interpreted state of the tag.   Providing an interrogator further comprises providing an interrogator including a network communication link, and the method further comprises sharing data on the network with the status associated with the tag. The method of claim 12.   The method of claim 13, further comprising sharing data from sensors of the interrogator over the network.   The method of claim 13, further comprising purchasing a unit of the product using the network.

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